Robert D. Kelly

Robert D. Kelly
Born (1972-05-29) May 29, 1972
Jersey City, New Jersey
EducationBA, Loyola University Maryland

MA, University of Vermont

PhD, University of Maryland, College Park
TitlePresident
PredecessorRev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.
SpouseBridget Turner Kelly
Websitehttps://www.up.edu/president/index.html

Robert D. Kelly is an American higher education administrator, professor, and author currently serving as President of the University of Portland, a Catholic, Holy Cross university in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1901.[1] Kelly is the first layperson and first person of color to lead the University of Portland as President.[2]

Early life and education

Kelly was born May 29, 1972, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Kelly attended Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland, graduating in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in political science.[3] He later earned a master's degree in higher education and student affairs administration from The University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, and a doctorate in education policy, planning, and administration from the University of Maryland, College Park in College Park, Maryland.[4]

Career

As an undergraduate at Loyola Maryland, Kelly initially intended to go to law school and become an attorney.[5] After being elected student body president, however, Kelly shifted his plans and embarked upon a career in higher education.[6]

He began his professional career by serving as Assistant Director of Residential Life at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.[7] He worked at The University of Vermont from 2000 to 2005, first as Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs and later as Associate Dean of Students.[8]

In 2005, Kelly joined Seattle University in Seattle, Washington, as Vice President for Student Development & Adjunct Professor of Education.[9] In 2009, he joined Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, as Vice President for Student Development & Clinical Professor of Education.[10] From 2014 to 2017, Kelly served as Chief of Staff to the President at Union College in Schenectady, New York.[11] In 2017, he returned to Loyola University Maryland as University Vice President & Special Assistant to the President and Clinical Professor.[12]

Kelly is the author of several publications, including Disruptive Transformation: Leading Creative and Innovative Teams in Higher Education.[13]

President of University of Portland

In 2022, Kelly was named President of the University of Portland - the first layperson and person of color to lead the institution as President.

During Kelly's tenure as President, the institution formalized Hope, Renewal, Transformation: The Strategic Plan for the University of Portland.[14]

In 2024, Kelly also oversaw the launch of the Moreau Pathway Program, a direct admissions program for high-achieving graduates of Catholic high schools in Oregon and Southwest Washington.[15]

On December 11, 2024, Kelly announced the receipt of a $20 million anonymous gift to enhance student access, support academic excellence, and strengthen student formation.[16] It was one of the largest single gifts received in institutional history.[17] On September 8, 2022, philanthropist Darlene Marcos Shiley gave $10 million to support the establish the Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation, a 45,000-square foot facility featuring classrooms, laboratories, maker spaces, and bays for industry partners.[18] On April 4, 2023, University alumnus Jim Berchtold gave an $18 million estate gift primarily for scholarships and student aid.[19]

In 2024, Kelly was appointed to the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics.[20] He was also elected Chair of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities, a consortium of twelve private, non-profit institutions of higher education in Oregon that supports its member institutions through collaboration and advocacy.[21] Kelly serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic university in St. Paul, Minnesota and the Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon.[22][23] He also serves on the boards of the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges.[24][25] He previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Loyola University Maryland, among other boards.[26]

Family

Kelly is married to Bridget Turner Kelly, a faculty member at the University of Maryland, College Park.[27] They have two children and reside in Portland.

References

  1. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  2. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  3. ^ "Robert D. Kelly, Ph.D., to leave Loyola to become president of University of Portland". www.loyola.edu. 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  4. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  5. ^ "Hope, Renewal and…". University of Maryland Alumni Association. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  6. ^ "Hope, Renewal and…". University of Maryland Alumni Association. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  7. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  8. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  9. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  10. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  11. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  12. ^ "President Robert D. Kelly, PhD | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  13. ^ "Disruptive Transformation". naspa.org. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  14. ^ "Strategic Plan 2022-2027: Hope, Renewal, Transformation | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  15. ^ "Future Pilots' Pathway: UP Offers Direct Admission to Local Catholic High School Seniors | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  16. ^ "University of Portland Announces Transformational $20 Million Gift | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  17. ^ "University of Portland Announces Transformational $20 Million Gift | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  18. ^ "Noted Philanthropist Darlene Marcos Shiley Makes $10 Million Gift to Establish the Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation on the University of Portland Campus | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  19. ^ "Expanding the Dundon-Berchtold 'Ripple Effect' — Multi-Million Dollar Estate Gift Will Fund University of Portland Student Scholarships | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  20. ^ "Committees". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  21. ^ Ridenour, Meg. "University of Portland President Dr. Robert D. Kelly Elected Board Chair of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities – Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities". Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  22. ^ "Board of Trustees". www.stthomas.edu. Archived from the original on 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  23. ^ "Board of Trustees | Independent PreK-12 School in Portland". www.catlin.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  24. ^ "UP President Robert D. Kelly Appointed to ACCU Board of Directors | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  25. ^ "Board of Directors". Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  26. ^ "Robert D. Kelly, Ph.D., to leave Loyola to become president of University of Portland". www.loyola.edu. 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  27. ^ "First Lady Dr. Bridget Turner Kelly | University of Portland". www.up.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
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